Automatic stationary fire-extinguisher.



PATBNTED DEC. 6, 1904.

R A. PHELPS.

AUTOMATIC STATIONARY FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL,

Witwe/oom W4/v@ www; @4M/L PATENTED DEG. 6, 1904.

' F. A. PHELPS.

AUTOMATIC STATIONARY PIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

51am/nto@ No. 776.614. PATBNTED DEC. 6,11904.

- F. A. PHELPS. AUTOMATIC STATIONARY FIRE EXTINGUISHBR.

l APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1904. No M'ODBL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET a.

Patented December 6, 1904.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED ALVIN PHELPS, OF LACONIA, NFV HAMPSHIRF.

AUTOMATIC STATIONARY FIRE-EXTINGUISHER- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,614, dated December 6, 1904. Application filed June 7, 1904:. Serial No. 211,451. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, FEED ALVIN PHELPs, of Laconia, in the county of Belknap andState of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Stationary Fire-Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention consists in improvements upon that class of automatic stationary [ire-extinguishers which are employed in factories and other buildings for the purpose of automatically flooding the same with water in case of the outbreak of a fire. In such fireextinguishers automatic sprinklers are employed, connected with the wate r-suppl y, which are provided with valves kept closed by suitable fastening devices, which are maintained in place by means of a suitable fusible alloy, the melting-point of which is low. In case of the outbreak of a lire the rise of temperature incident thereto causes the fusible alloy to melt, whereupon the fastening devices give way, the valves of the sprinklers are opened, and the apartment in which the fire occurs is flooded with water. The efliciency of such apparatus depends upon the sensitiveness of the fusible alloy, which should melt at a sufiiciently low temperature to open the sprinklers at an early stag'e in the outbreak of the lire, and at the same time upon the capacity of the fastening device, which includes the fusible alloy, to maintain the valve closed under normal conditions ag'ainst the internal pressure within the pipe system. ln order that the fusible alloy shall melt at a low temperature, it must necessarily be weak, the lower the melting-point the weaker the alloy being', and hence it becomes necessary to provide for two apparently inconsistent conditionsnamely, weakness in the alloy to fuse at alow temperature and strength in the fastening device, which includes the alloy, to withstand the frequently high internal pressure within the extinguishing' system.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fastening' device which shall satisfy both of these conditions.

The improvements are illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, in which-- Figure l is a front view of one of the improved sprinklers. Fig'. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig'. 3 is acentral vertical section. Fig'. 4 is a side view of the fastening device detached. Fig'. 5 represents in face views the several parts which make up the retaining device detached. Fig. 6 represents edge views of the same parts detached. Fig. 7 is a crosssection in the plane indicated by the line 7 7 in Fig. l. Fig. 8 is an under side view of the distributer. Fig. 9 is a cross-section of one of the arms of the sprinkler-frame. Fig'. l() is a sectional View of the disk which is interposed between the valve and its seat. Figs. l1 to 19, inclusive, are views similar to Fig. 4, each illustratingl a different modification of the irnproved fastening device.

The improved sprinkler is composed of a frame A, a separable valve B, a separable fastening device C, interposed between the valve and an abutment D, carried bythe frame and which resists the thrust imparted to the fastening' device through the stress of the interior pressure upon the inner face of the valve, a distributer E, and a disk F, interposed between the valve and its seat. The sprinklerframe is adapted to be secured to an appropriate water-supply, as by screwing thereto, and it is equipped. with a water-passage e, which is closed by the valve B. The valve is maintained closed by the fastening device under normal conditions. rlhis condition continues until a rise in temperature, due to the breaking out of a lire, causes the parts of which the fastening device is composed to g'ive way on account of the fusing of the solder or alloy which holds them together, whereupon the valve, being' no longer maintained in place, is forced away from its seat by the internal pressure, and it, together with the different parts of the fastening' device, becomes detached and separated from the frame and falls entirely away therefrom, since they are separable from and independent of the frame, thus opening' an outlet for the water through the passage a. The water in passing' out from said outlet encounters the opposing' face of the distributer It and also the fixed side arms G of the sprinkler head and is thereby elliciently distributed throughout the apartment over the area which the particular IOO sprinkler is designed to protect. Generally speaking, this mode of operation is common to sprinklers of this character.

The first of the present improvements relates to the construction of the fastening device C. This fastening device, as shown in Figs. l to 7, inclusive, consists of seven different parts, which are illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. These seven parts comprise two like spring-arms 7) L, a single post c, two like strut members d, and a two-part link composed of members c and f. Each of the two-link members c andf is serrated on one face, and these two notched or serrated faces are adapted to be united together by the fusible alloy which is introduced between them and which is indicated by the heavy black line shown at g in Figs. 3 and t. The twolink members are thus joined together by the fusible alloy, and the serrations limit the thickness of each member of the link, so that the heat is readily transmitted through the metal of which they are composed to the fusible alloy, thus increasing the sensitiveness of the link. rlhe primary member e of the fusible link is adapted to be secured to the middle of the post c by any suitable reciprocal connection, a species of bayonet-joint being shown i'or this purpose. To this end the link member e has a head l connected thereto by a reduced neck 2. The neck fits a circular aperture 3 in the post, and said aperture has communicating therewith diametrical recesses 4, which accommodate the head l. On thrusting the head 1 of the link through these recesses 4 and then turning the. link ninety degrees to the position shown in Fig. 2 the link is securely fastened to the post. The two like spring-arms L extend substantially parallel with the intermediate fusible link, and they are supported at one end by the post c and at the opposite end by the strut members (Z, which are interposed between them and the fusible link, as shown in Fig. 4. As clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

each spring-arm has an angular rib 5 at onev end, which fits in an angular recess 6 at one end of the post c, and it has at its other end an angular groove 7, into which fits the reduced outer end of one of the strut members. The inner end of each strut member is also reduced and fits within an angular notch 8 on one face of and near the outer end of the secondary member f of the fusible link. These jointed connections which have been described as angular may be semicircular or of other convenient shape which shall prevent the slipping of the parts upon one another during the normal state of the sprinkler, but which will enable the parts to swing or tilt on each other when the fusible alloj,T melts. Each of the spring-arms Z) has on its outer face a depression or recess, which is shown at 9 in Fig. 3. One of these recesses on one of the springarms is adapted to fit over a central pointed projection t on the outer face of the valve B, while into the corresponding recess of the other spring-arm enters the conical point of the abutment D. Then the fastening device is in place, the line of stress between the valve projection 7L and the point 71 of the abutment is out of line with the post c, being on the side of said post toward the strut (l, but being substantially parallel with said post. The abutment D is capable of being screwed in and out within a threaded socket at the outer end of the sprinkler-frame. Then the fastening device has been put in position, the abutment is screwed down until its conical point enters the recess 9 inthe adjacent springarm. A further screwing down of the abutment not only securely holds all parts of the fastening device together, but it also puts tension upon the spring-arms The effect of this tension on the spring-arms is to maintain an outward thrust upon the fusible link through the two strut members CZ. It will be noted that the two strut members Z are not in line with each other, but are at an angle, so that the two together constitute a toggle, and through the-m a stress is exerted by the two spring-arms. tending to thrust the fusible link outwardly from the post c. This is due to the circumstance that the two springarms are substantially parallel with each other, and they receive the Vthrust of the interior pressure within the sprinkler system, and that due to the force imparted to them by screwing down the abutment in a direction which is substantially at right angles to their length. The force of the thrust which is thus brought to bear upon the spring-arms is withstood partly by the rigid post c and partly by the fusible link. Owing, however, to the great length of the portions of the spring-arms extending from the line of thrust to the toggle strut as compared with the length of the spring-arms from said line of thrust to the post c and owing to the obtuse angle which the two strut members make with each other, a powerful pressure can be withstood by the spring-arms without involving a great disrupting strain upon the two members of the link. As a consequence a very soft alloy which can melt at a low temperature, and hence which is highly sensitive to heat, can be utilized for holding the two members of the fusible link together. Sensitiveness to rise in temperature, coupled with static strength, is thus secured. In case the temperature rises to the danger-point the fusible alloy melts, and the entire fastening device at once flies apart, owing to the resilience of the spring-arms b and the tension to which they are normally subjected by the internal pressure and the stressr imparted to them by the screw-abutment. The effect of the elastic pressure is to collapse the toggle-strut members and to thereby force the secondary member of the link away from the other member IOO IIO

IIS

IZO

vice is assembled' and put in place.

Vprojecting arms 0, as shown at y).

fastened to the post as soon as the alloy melts. All parts of the fastening device are thrown clear away from the sprinldenhead,and the valveis forced outwardly by the interior pressure and falls away, thus leaving' an unobstructed opening for the outflow of the water. The central projection on the valve and the conical point r1 of the abutment constitute a pivot on which the fastening device as a whole may swing, thus preventing' damage to the fastening device should a blow be received by it.

Figs. 11 to 19, inclusive, illustrate a number of modifications of the fastening' device, all of which embody the principles of the two substantially parallel spring-arms which are interposed between the abutment and the valve, the double support for the two ends of the spring-arms, and a fusible link or other fusible connection to normally maintain the integrity of the fastening' device against the tension imparted to the spring-arms. The construction shown in Fig. 11 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1 except that in Fig. 11 the post `has lateral extensions 7' at its two .ends,which support the adjacent ends of the spring-arms. The construction shown in Fig. 12 shows a modiiication 1n which there 1s a double support to the spring-arms furnished .by the post and the toggle-strut; but both of theselsupports are on one side of the line of `stress between the valve and the abutment. In `this instance the spring-arms are extended beyond the toggle-strut and these extensions i seat upon the valveand the abutment, re- .spectively.l This involves the further modilication of bringing the outer ends of the spring-arms within the lateral extensions y' of the post c. In the modification shown in the post c. y, 1n this instance the spring-arms `have a normal-elasticity whereby they tend to occupy theposition shown in dotted lines, and

they are sprung out to receive the strut members Z between them when the fastening de- The spring-arms thus have their own elasticity added to the tension which may be put upon them by the abutment or by the internal pressure. In Fig. 14 is illustrated a still further modification. in which the abutment and valve bear upon the middles of the two springar'ms and the ou ter ends of the spring-arms are held apart by two toggle-struts. ln Fig, 15 adifferent construction of the fusible member is shown. 1n this case the post c has a socket l, into which loosely lits a stem m, which is the substitute for the fusible link.

This stem extends beyond the toggle-strut d,

and beyond the same is secured to it by riveting' or otherwise a plate 7i, the outer ends of which are bent over and soldered to the In the construction shown in Fig. 16 the double support for the spring-arms is somewhat varied.

In this case the support which is close to the line of thrust between the abutment and valve is composed of two toggle members r/ and fr, and the spring-arms are in one with the post c, as in Fig. 13; but in this instance the post is away from the line of thrust. The two toggle members in this instance seat directly upon each other, and one of them has an inclined lever portion s, which extends to the vicinity of the post c. The strain which is brought to bear upon the toggle-strut tends to move the outer end of this lever-arm s in the direction of the arrow 10; but this is resisted by a lever t, the short arm ef which is encountered by said arm sand extends through an aperture in the post c. The long arm of this lever extends outside of and parallel with the post and is soldered thereto by intervening' solder. A retainer 'a is additionally employed, having' a curved tongue o, which extends through an aperture in the post and the body of which extends outside of the long arm of the lever t and is soldered thereto by intervening solder. rlhe fusible solder used at these points withstands the disrupting stress upon the toggle-strut; but when the solder melts the entire structure collapses through the elasticity of the spring-arms and the force of the internal pressure within the system. The structure shown in Fig. 17 is a modification of that shown in Fig. 16, the difference lying in the construction of the toggle members. In this case there is a single inclined strut w, which bears against the short arm of the lever fr, the outer end of which is held by the soldered lever t. In the m odiiication shown in Fig. 18 the post and spring-arms are integral and a toggle-strut is employed. In this case, however, the post has a sleeve y, in which lits a correspondingly-shaped cup 2, secured to a link 11. The solder is secured between. the sleeve and cup. In this case the tendency of the cup is to slip out from the sleeve; butthis is normally counteracted by the intervening solder. The modification shown in Fig. 19 is the same as that shown in Fig. 4, excepting that the valve has a projecting tongue 12 at one side, under `which extends a hook 13, formed on the adjacent spring-arm. Consequently when the fastening device gives way through the melting of the retaining-solder the hook 13 tends to pry the valve open, and thus insure its opening in case it should be stuck for any reason. n ln all of these modifications theA fastening device comprises two substantially parallel spring-arms which receive the thrust of the internal pressure within the extinguishing system and which are normally held apart by intermediate devices, including a fusible connection, theseintermediatedevices comprising a double intervening support for the springarms, one of these supports including at least one member which is at an angle to the line of thrust.

In order to render the valve tight, there is TOO IIO

employed a soft-copper disk packing F, which is stamped up into the shape of the under side of the valve, and this disk is interposed between the valve and its seat.

The base of the sprinkler on opposite sides of the side arms G has two grooves H, one on each side, the formation of these grooves leaving ribs 14 above and below each groove. The purpose of these grooves is to receive a special wrench for screwing the sprinkler into place and removing when necessary, as when replacing sprinklers after a fire. These grooves prevent the wrench from slipping and coming against the valve, thus avoiding displacement of the valve laterally and causing the sprinkler to leak, as frequently occurs in the case of ordinary sprinklers. The bottoms of these grooves also furnish convenient places for placing such markings as are frequently de sired to be placed upon these sprinklers, such as the temperature at which the sprinkler opens, the year of manufacture, patent-marks, and the like.

The arms G of the frame are the shape of a cross in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 9. This construction provides a tapering rib on the inner side of each arm, as shown at 15, which contributes in the outward dispersion of the water.

The distributer E is preferably arranged to rotate and is interposed between the ou ter end of the frame and the head of the abutment D.

This sprinkler is a circular disk having ribs on its under face and notches and holes for the distribution of the water, as shown in Fig. 8.

All of the parts are made out of proper metals, brass being preferably employed for the sprinkler-head, and the portions of the fastening devices may be made of brass, phosphor-bronze, or German silver, as may be preferred.

I claim as my inventionl. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a valve, an abutment, two substantially parallel spring-arms,one bearing on the valve, the other on the abutment, a post parallel with but at one side of the line of thrust between the valve and the abutment and interposed between the two spring-arms, a fusible link fastened to the post between and substantially parallel with the two spring-arms, a strut member between the outer end of the link and each of the two spring-arms, said thrust members being at an angle to each other and to said line of thrust, non-slipping but separable joint connections being employed between the spring-arms, the post of the strut member,and between the strut members and the link.

2. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a valve, an abutment, two substantially parallel spring-arms, one bearing on the valve, the other on the abutment, a post parallel with but at one'side of the line of thrust between the valve and the abutment and interposed between the two spring-arms, afusible link fastened to the post between and substantially parallel with the two spring-arms, a strut member between the outer end of the link and each of the two spring-arms, said strut meinbers being at an angle to each other and to said line of thrust.

3. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a valve, an abutment, two substantially parallel spring-arms, one bearing on the valve, the other on the abutment, a post parallel with but at one side of the line of thrust between the valve and the abutment and interposed between the two spring-arms, a fusible link fastened to the post between and substantially parallel with the two spring-arms, astrut member between the outer end of the link and each of the two spring-arms, said strut members being at an angle to said line of thrust.

4. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a valve, an abutment, two substantiall y parallel spring-arms, one bearing on the valve, the other on the abutment, a post parallel with but at one side of the line of thrust between the valve and the abutment and intel'- posed between the two spring-arms, a fusible link fastened to the post between and substantially parallel with the two spring-arms, and a strut member between the outer end of the link and each of the two spring-arms.

5. An automatic sprinkler having, in combination, a valve, an abutment, two substantially parallel spring-arms', one bearing on the valve, the other on the abutment, a post at one side of the line of thrust between the valve and the abutment and interposed between the two spring-arms, a fusible link fastened to the post between the two spring-arms and a strut member between the outer end of the link and each of the two spring-arms.

6. An automatic sprinkler having a valve and an abutment combined with an interposed fastening device comprising two substantially parallel spring-arms bearing upon the valve and abutment respectively and which receive the thrust of the internal pressure borne by the valve and intermediate devices including a fusible connection and a double support, one of the supports having a member which is at an angle to the line of thrust.

7. An automatic sprinkler having a valve and an abutment combined with an interposed fastening device comprising two substantially parallel spring-arms bearing upon the valve and abutment respectively and which receive the thrust of the internal pressure borne by the valve, and intermediate devices including a fusible connection and a double support.

8. An automatic sprinkler having a valve and an abutment combined with an interposed fastening device comprising two substantially parallel spring-arms bearing upon the valve and abutment respectively and which receive the thrust of the internal pressure borne by the valve, and intermediate devices including a fusible connection and a support having a IOO parallel arms bearing upon the valve and abutment respectively and which receive the thrust of the internal pressure borne by the valve, and intermediate devices includingl a fusible connection.

ln witness whereoll I have hereunto signed my name in thc presence of two subscribing 2O witnesses.

FRED ALVIN PHELPs.

Witnesses:

STEPHEN S. JEWETT, ALICE M. DAVIS. 

